Friday, January 3, 2014
Robot & Frank
Robot & Frank was a surprisingly deep movie. I thought it was just going to be a feel good odd couple tale. Instead, it offered a commentary on aging, our relationship to technology, friendship, and dealing with the decline of a loved one. It is also funny.
Frank is a retired cat burglar with some memory problems who insists on living alone. He has two adult children that try to do the best for him. It is clear that Frank was not the best Dad nor is he easy to help out. He clearly values his independence. He is an old school tough guy.
One day his son, who visits once a week, drops off a robot to help Frank. The robot is programmed to take care of Frank and help him improve his health and flagging memory. The interactions between Frank and the robot are great. The robot, while looking like a clunker, is capable of improvising and using human tricks to manipulate Frank.
As one would expect, Frank develops a fondness for the robot. The robots attempts to engage Frank in a project drive the plot. The plot in turn drives the thematic exploration without ever hitting you over the head. Most of the thinking comes after the credits roll.
The writing and acting is superb. Frank is delicately played. You are never quite sure about how impaired he is. He walks the difficult line between being a stereotypical grumpy old man and a lovable scourge. His interactions with the rest of the cast quietly speak volumes about the love he has for life and the knowledge he has about how the thing that makes him human is slipping away from him.
Robot & Frank will make you laugh and cry. It will make you love life and dread getting older. As with all the best things, it is bitter sweet.
Frank is a retired cat burglar with some memory problems who insists on living alone. He has two adult children that try to do the best for him. It is clear that Frank was not the best Dad nor is he easy to help out. He clearly values his independence. He is an old school tough guy.
One day his son, who visits once a week, drops off a robot to help Frank. The robot is programmed to take care of Frank and help him improve his health and flagging memory. The interactions between Frank and the robot are great. The robot, while looking like a clunker, is capable of improvising and using human tricks to manipulate Frank.
As one would expect, Frank develops a fondness for the robot. The robots attempts to engage Frank in a project drive the plot. The plot in turn drives the thematic exploration without ever hitting you over the head. Most of the thinking comes after the credits roll.
The writing and acting is superb. Frank is delicately played. You are never quite sure about how impaired he is. He walks the difficult line between being a stereotypical grumpy old man and a lovable scourge. His interactions with the rest of the cast quietly speak volumes about the love he has for life and the knowledge he has about how the thing that makes him human is slipping away from him.
Robot & Frank will make you laugh and cry. It will make you love life and dread getting older. As with all the best things, it is bitter sweet.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Despicable Me 2
H and I decided to go see this based solely on one joke that happens in the first twenty minutes of the movie. As far as I was concerned, the movie had little else to recommend it. I am not a fan of Steve Carell's work in general and reviews of the first film were pretty like warm.
It turns out that the sequel is better than the original. It must be because they ramped up the minion count. The adult characters are forgettable. The children are cute, but forgettable. The story is sweet, but predictable and forgettable.
What keeps things interesting is the comedy of the minions. I laughed enough to not feel like we wasted our money. I can imagine watching with wee child on Netflix and enjoying it.
It turns out that the sequel is better than the original. It must be because they ramped up the minion count. The adult characters are forgettable. The children are cute, but forgettable. The story is sweet, but predictable and forgettable.
What keeps things interesting is the comedy of the minions. I laughed enough to not feel like we wasted our money. I can imagine watching with wee child on Netflix and enjoying it.
Monday, August 12, 2013
The Avengers
The Avengers finally made it to Netflix! It is not that I wouldn't have paid to see it in the theaters; I just didn't want to expend precious escape points on it last summer and couldn't get H to go with me on date night.
It was probably for the best. It is one of the best super hero movies I've seen, but it wasn't special enough to trade for a day of kayaking or a bike ride. Whedon is a master of the small screen and that removed the things that make a movie a must see in the theater. Some movies need a huge screen, The Avengers did just fine on my 36" screen.
The things that made the movie standout were all in the interplay of the characters. Sure most of the characters are pretty stock super hero types, but watching them interact and learn to form a team is interesting. The least interesting characters were Hawkeye and Scarlet Johansen. I'm hoping they ditch them in favor of some actual super heroes or give them personalities in the sequel.
Marvel has gotten the super hero movie figured out. They brought in serious acting talent and focused on the characters. The even found a way to make the Hulk interesting. I still don't think the new Hulk could support a standalone movie, but he does make a nice addition to the ensemble.
I'm hoping they stick to the formula for at least a few more movies.
It was probably for the best. It is one of the best super hero movies I've seen, but it wasn't special enough to trade for a day of kayaking or a bike ride. Whedon is a master of the small screen and that removed the things that make a movie a must see in the theater. Some movies need a huge screen, The Avengers did just fine on my 36" screen.
The things that made the movie standout were all in the interplay of the characters. Sure most of the characters are pretty stock super hero types, but watching them interact and learn to form a team is interesting. The least interesting characters were Hawkeye and Scarlet Johansen. I'm hoping they ditch them in favor of some actual super heroes or give them personalities in the sequel.
Marvel has gotten the super hero movie figured out. They brought in serious acting talent and focused on the characters. The even found a way to make the Hulk interesting. I still don't think the new Hulk could support a standalone movie, but he does make a nice addition to the ensemble.
I'm hoping they stick to the formula for at least a few more movies.
Pacific Rim
The first thing to know about Pacific Rim is that it exactly what it looks like: a 21st century remake of an old Japanese monster movie. It is giant robots fighting giant monsters with all of the standard tropes that goes along with the genre. The acting is over the top, the characters are archetypal, the dialog is stilted, and the plot is predictable. If you grew up, as I did, watching Godzilla, Gamara, Monster X, and Mega Man, you know what to expect. If not, it doesn't take much imagination to figure it out.
That is not a criticism. In fact, it is high praise the del Toro can make a serious block buster out of a genre that has been nearly destroyed by the likes of Transformers, Cloverfield, and re-imaginings of Godzilla.
del Toro clearly understands and loves the genre. He is also a true artisan. Pacific Rim is beautiful, exciting, and engaging. The monsters and robots have a weight and scale that is rarely seen in movies today. It is not that the robots in Transformers and the monster from Cloverfield are not big, it is that they don't have any weight. In Pacific Rim, they feel big and solid. When they hit, you feel the amount of damage being done. They also have a realism about them that adds to the sense of awe. Each robot has characteristics that align it with its country of origin. They are not just generic robots. The monster also have an organic quality and vague similarity to living creatures makes them feel alive.
The characters are archetypes, but del Toro adds just enough depth to make them interesting. You actually care about their fates. His oriental wonder girl is more than just a sexual force to guide the lost hero back to the world. She has her own issues. The stock mad scientists are goofy comic relief, but they also serve a point in the story.
That the characters are engaging is a vital strength because the plot is entirely predictable. You know how things are going to end up, but you still get caught up. The tension points work because you care enough to not want bad things to happen. Enough bad things do happen that you believe just enough that the really bad things will happen.
I saw Pacific Rim in IMAX 3-d. The 3-d was cool in some parts, but in others it was actually a distraction. There were also some spots where the projection was blotchy. If I were going to see it again, I would see it in regular IMAX. The scale of IMAX is perfect for Pacific Rim. It is a big film and makes the most out the big screen.
That is not a criticism. In fact, it is high praise the del Toro can make a serious block buster out of a genre that has been nearly destroyed by the likes of Transformers, Cloverfield, and re-imaginings of Godzilla.
del Toro clearly understands and loves the genre. He is also a true artisan. Pacific Rim is beautiful, exciting, and engaging. The monsters and robots have a weight and scale that is rarely seen in movies today. It is not that the robots in Transformers and the monster from Cloverfield are not big, it is that they don't have any weight. In Pacific Rim, they feel big and solid. When they hit, you feel the amount of damage being done. They also have a realism about them that adds to the sense of awe. Each robot has characteristics that align it with its country of origin. They are not just generic robots. The monster also have an organic quality and vague similarity to living creatures makes them feel alive.
The characters are archetypes, but del Toro adds just enough depth to make them interesting. You actually care about their fates. His oriental wonder girl is more than just a sexual force to guide the lost hero back to the world. She has her own issues. The stock mad scientists are goofy comic relief, but they also serve a point in the story.
That the characters are engaging is a vital strength because the plot is entirely predictable. You know how things are going to end up, but you still get caught up. The tension points work because you care enough to not want bad things to happen. Enough bad things do happen that you believe just enough that the really bad things will happen.
I saw Pacific Rim in IMAX 3-d. The 3-d was cool in some parts, but in others it was actually a distraction. There were also some spots where the projection was blotchy. If I were going to see it again, I would see it in regular IMAX. The scale of IMAX is perfect for Pacific Rim. It is a big film and makes the most out the big screen.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
World War Z
I must admit upfront that I am a huge fan of the book. It is one of the most compelling social commentaries I've read. By combining documentary style with first person narration and zombies, Brooks crafted a master piece that is accessible to just about anyone who can read.
I am also a firm believer that a film based on a book cannot be judged through the lens of the book. Film and literature are different mediums and require different narrative techniques.
So, when I found out that World War Z the movie was nothing like the book, I wasn't too surprised. Many of the things that make the novel great would ruin a movie. Movies do best when they have a small cast and a relatively cohesive narrative arch; Brooks' novel doesn't have either. One could have taken the infantry man's story and pieced together a good story by dropping in bits from the other narratives as news flashes or other bits.
That, however, was not the path taken. The producers instead choose to create a new plot. All in all, it is not a terrible plot for a generic action movie that has some zombies. It hits all the right notes; sensitive, reluctant hero; big set pieces; creepy hallway zombie sequence; ambiguous ending.
The acting, what little that is required, is passable. I believe the Pitt character enough to be moderately concerned when he is in peril. I don't, however, care enough not to find the maudlin stuff about his family sort of annoying.
The effects are fabulous. I saw it in 3D and liked it. I'm not sure the 3D really added anything, but it didn't hurt. In fact the visual spectacle was perhaps the best thing about the movie. The scene where Israel is overrun is almost worth the price of admission. It is way better on the big screen than on the TV screen.
In the end, the World War Z is not a bad way to spend a hot summer night. It is well made, not overtly pandering, and a little scary at times. Just do not expect anything at all like the book. The movie is not a masterwork.
I am also a firm believer that a film based on a book cannot be judged through the lens of the book. Film and literature are different mediums and require different narrative techniques.
So, when I found out that World War Z the movie was nothing like the book, I wasn't too surprised. Many of the things that make the novel great would ruin a movie. Movies do best when they have a small cast and a relatively cohesive narrative arch; Brooks' novel doesn't have either. One could have taken the infantry man's story and pieced together a good story by dropping in bits from the other narratives as news flashes or other bits.
That, however, was not the path taken. The producers instead choose to create a new plot. All in all, it is not a terrible plot for a generic action movie that has some zombies. It hits all the right notes; sensitive, reluctant hero; big set pieces; creepy hallway zombie sequence; ambiguous ending.
The acting, what little that is required, is passable. I believe the Pitt character enough to be moderately concerned when he is in peril. I don't, however, care enough not to find the maudlin stuff about his family sort of annoying.
The effects are fabulous. I saw it in 3D and liked it. I'm not sure the 3D really added anything, but it didn't hurt. In fact the visual spectacle was perhaps the best thing about the movie. The scene where Israel is overrun is almost worth the price of admission. It is way better on the big screen than on the TV screen.
In the end, the World War Z is not a bad way to spend a hot summer night. It is well made, not overtly pandering, and a little scary at times. Just do not expect anything at all like the book. The movie is not a masterwork.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Paranorman
I'm a sucker for a good misfit movie and Paranorman did not disapoint. It ticks all of the right boxes. Misfit kid with specail ability, a well meaning but clueless family, the mistfit freind, the gaurdian spirit, the mission to save the world, and zombies are all there. More importantly, the movie is smart, funny, and doesn't skimp on the scary to spare the kids. Saving the world requires Norman to work through some pretty rough stuff given that the target audience for the film is 12.
The the subversive humor is what makes the movie work and keeps it from drowning in its message. The creeepy uncle is creepy but is done humorously. The zombies are also creepy in a funny way. The only truly scary character is the witch.
I highly recommend Paranorman.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)